Datsyuk voted best Russian player

So I randomly ran into this last night when I was browsing the Reebok site and thought I would share it with everyone.

On the international level, Datsyuk played with Team Russia in both the 2010 Olympics and the IIHF World Championship, winning silver in the latter. He also was recently voted by Russians as the best Russian hockey player.

Im actually surprised. I thought the people of Russia would have chose someone like Ovechkin for his explosive style of play. I am happy to see Datsyuk get that honor though he for sure deserves it.

I'm guessing they didn't vote for the best goal scorer, or best forward, but for what Pavel Datsyuk is; best Russian (and imho best overall player in the NHL). No one plays a more complete hockey game then Pav's.

But my most coveted thing is a high self-esteemAnd a low tolerance for them telling me how to leanSee the most important parts are the ones that are unseenThe Wings don't make you fly and the Crown don't make you kingNow God don't like ugly, ain't too happy bout prettyI am ignorance's enemy so stay out of the vicinity of...~ Lupe Fiasco - Gold Watch

I'm guessing they didn't vote for the best goal scorer, or best forward, but for what Pavel Datsyuk is; best Russian (and imho best overall player in the NHL). No one plays a more complete hockey game then Pav's.

Henrik Zetterberg does.

"I've never seen a warlock do that without his magic.""I once devoured a monk's soul. It tasted like chocolate."

As for who is better defensively; When they are on separate lines, which one is usually matched up against the other team's top offensive line to shut it down while still providing offense? Zetterberg. Not Datsyuk. That speaks volumes doesn't it? Certainly more than a single stat viewed on its own out of context.

As for who is better defensively; When they are on separate lines, which one is usually matched up against the other team's top offensive line to shut it down while still providing offense? Zetterberg. Not Datsyuk.

As for who is better defensively; When they are on separate lines, which one is usually matched up against the other team's top offensive line to shut it down while still providing offense? Zetterberg. Not Datsyuk. That speaks volumes doesn't it? Certainly more than a single stat viewed on its own out of context.

So Zetterberg's negligible defensive advantage means he is more complete?

Neither player has a significant advantage in the physical game, so if you don't think Z's advantage offensively and defensively are enough, let's look at one more aspect. Clutch play. Datsyuk has been a good playoff player, with some questioning. Z is one of the league's top postseason players every year. And there has not been a single season where Datsyuk's playoff run was better than Z's of that same year.

Datsyuk is an amazing player, and it's great that he won this award. But he's not "the most complete" player in the world.

"I've never seen a warlock do that without his magic.""I once devoured a monk's soul. It tasted like chocolate."